Hey Folks, some of you probably know a lot more about this vocabulary than I do. Consider it a wikipedia type of thing and go ahead and correct it if you’re sure. Also, if you can think of anything I’ve missed, can you let me know? Thanks.

BIAP: Baghdad International Airport

Black hawk helicopter: a military helicopter

Building 5 – The former Ba’ath part HQs under Sadam Hussein, now used by US and NATO forces. Aka “Washington”.

CHU – Containerized Housing Unit. A giant shipping container that we all live in here. About the size of a single wide and you almost always share with someone. Pretty comfortable, outfitted with an AC/heating unit, a single bed, a wardrobe and bedside table. CHUs can be ‘wet’ or ‘dry’. A wet chu has bathroom facilities; a dry chu doesn’t. So far, I’ve experienced only a dry chu.

Chinook: Large -Canadian made- helicopter that can seat about 30 people and take luggage.

Conus Replacement Centre. “Conus” refers to the US continent, i.e.continental US and is a place where all military and non-military personnel who are going abroad on a mission (or returning from one) have to pass through for readiness in theatre. I found an explanation of the Fort Benning one and have included a link for anyone who wants the details of what it’s like.

PX/BX – Post Exchange / Base Exchange. A store where you can buy a variety of items from toothpaste to microwaves. The small ones are like ill-equipped convenience stores; the big ones are like a walmart or Zellers.

R&R: Rest and Relaxation – vacation time

Streicher: The name of the US airforce base I’ve been assigned to, very near the northern town of Tikrit